Another enjoyable game!
It was an eight-try showing from the Lions in their 52-12 win over the Reds in Brisbane.
Like last week, the home side put it up to the Lions before they tired and the touring side pulled away.
However, like against Argentina, they will be disappointed by the amount of handling errors.
Nonetheless, the Test team is certainly starting to take shape!
Andrew Porter – 6.5
Scrum was put under pressure, and he missed an easy tackle which led to a Reds line break and eventually their first try.
However, he carried very well in the tight and took his try well.
Rónan Kelleher – 7
Throwing was mostly pretty good, but didn’t have many stand out moments.
Impressed with 16 tackles in just 54 minutes.
Will Stuart – 5.5
A big opportunity with the tighthead jersey still up for grabs.
He looked disappointed coming off, and rightfully so, finishing the game with three penalties given away.
You couldn’t fault his effort, however, with 13 tackles.
Maro Itoje – 8
A real captains performance, doing a bit of everything.
Finished with three turnovers, including a brilliant interception with the Reds in the red zone.
Ollie Chessum – 7
An industrious performance without standing out.
Still a real player for the bench spot against Australia.
Tom Curry – 6
Another average performance from the man who would have been favourite to start the Tests.
Was completely outshone by Conan and Morgan.
Jac Morgan – 8
A top showing from the squad’s only Welshman left.
Was the top carrying forward for the Lions, and also chipped in with 17 tackles and three turnovers.
Jack Conan – 7.5
A good showing from Conan, carrying relentlessly and rarely taking a back step.
Showed magnificent hands to set up Van der Merwe’s try.
Jamison Gibson-Park – 7.5
Passing was crisp, decision making was excellent, and had a great assist for Maro Itoje’s try.
Had a mixup from a kick-off with Conan which could have been very costly.
Finn Russell – 8
Pretty flawless from the Scot, and controlled his backline beautifully.
Nailed all his conversions, including a couple from the touchline.
Duhan van der Merwe – 7.5
Was a real nuisance whenever he got on the ball.
Finished with 84 metres made and a try to boot.
Bundee Aki – 7.5
Had a relatively poor first half, with some poor pass decisions.
But he turned it around with some highlight plays in the second, including a couple of huge carries, a slick offload, and a sublime turnover.
Huw Jones – 7
Showed glimpses of his fast-twitch acceleration, and took his try very well.
13 jersey is still very much up for grabs.
Tommy Freeman – 7.5
Another top performance from Freeman, taking both his tries very well.
Finished with 74 metres made.
Elliot Daly – 7
Not as eye-catching a performance as his first two, but was safe in the backfield, nonetheless.
Time is running out for Hugo Keenan and Blair Kinghorn to make a push for the Test jersey.
Replacements:
Luke Cowan-Dickie – 7
Ellis Genge – 6.5
Finlay Bealham – 6
James Ryan – 6
Ben Earl – 6
Alex Mitchell – 6.5
Fin Smith – 7
Garry Ringrose – 6.5
